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Emergency Medicine | Sarah Yasmine > Neuro Emergencies > Flashcards

Neuro Emergencies Flashcards

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1
Q
  1. Consciousness has 2 main components what are they?

2. Describe how they are different in Delirium and Dementia?

A
  1. Arousal and Cognition.
  2. Delirium: alteration of both arousal and cognition. Dementia: alteration in cognition, not arousal
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2
Q
  1. Arousal is controlled by the what?

2. Cognition is controlled by ?

A
  1. ascending reticular activating system (ARAS) in the brainstem.
  2. cerebral cortex.
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3
Q

AMS - PE

3

A
  1. ABCs; Vital signs
  2. Bedside glucose
  3. Look quickly for immediate life threats
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4
Q

AMS PE
Look quickly for immediate life threats, such as:
5

A
  1. Hypoglycemia
  2. Hypotension/ Hypertension
  3. Hypoxia
  4. Abnormal respirations
  5. Hypo/ Hyperthermia
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5
Q 
AMS PE
Head to toe exam
1. Head? 5
2. Neck? 1
3. CV? 3
4. Pulm? 1
5. Abd? 2
6. Skin? 4
A
  1. Head –
    - trauma;
    - Pupil size, symmetry, and reactivity.
    - Pinpoint pupils: OD vs pontine hemorrhage;
    - Blown pupil: uncal herniation;
    - Fundi: papilledema
  2. Neck – stiffness?
  3. CV –
    - dysrhythmia (atrial fib),
    - murmurs (endocarditis),
    - rubs (pericarditis)
  4. Pulm-
    - symmetry of sounds, rate, wheezes
  5. Abd –
    - masses?
    - Organomegaly? (alcoholic liver, splenic sequestration in sicklers)
  6. Skin –
    - color,
    - turgor (dehydration);
    - rashes (petechiae, purura: TTP vs meningococcemia?);
    - Infection (cellulitis, fasciitis)
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6
Q

AMS – DDx: AEIOU TIPS

A 
A – Alcohol
E – Epilepsy; Electrolytes; Encephalopathy (HTN, Hepatic)
I – Insulin (hyper and hypo); Intuss (peds)
O – Overdose; Opiates
U – Uremia
T – Trauma; Temperature (Hyper and hypo)
I – Infection;  Intracerebral hemorrhage
P – Psych;  Poison
S - Shock
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7
Q

When would you intubate?

A

GCS less than 8

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8
Q

Are they brain dead/herniating?
PE?
6

A
  1. DTR
  2. Cranial nerves best they can
  3. responsive to pain
  4. suction and see if they have a cough or gag reflex
  5. dolls eye test- stays in line is bad
  6. anyone with a blown pupil is uncle herniation until proven otherwise
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9
Q

Status Epilepticus
1. Considered how long without return to preconvulsive neurologic baseline?

  1. Traditionally considered to be convulsions > ______, however do not halt treatment!
A
  1. 5 minutes or more of convulsions or 2 or more convulsions in a 5 min interval
  2. 30 min
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10
Q

Status Epilepticus
Etiologies
6

A
  1. Vascular: stroke, SAH, hypoxic encephalopathy
  2. Toxic: drugs, alcohol withdrawal, medications (Isoniazid, TCA’s, chemo agents), AED non-compliance
  3. Metabolic: Hyper/hypo-natremia, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, liver/renal failure
  4. Infectious: meningioencephalitis, brain abscess
  5. Trauma
  6. Neoplastic
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11
Q

Initial Assessment/Treatment of status epilepticus

3

A

1, ABC’s – O2, airway, BP
Monitor for hypotension
2. Labs:
3. Dx hypoglycemia as cause

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12
Q

Initial Assessment/Treatment of status epilepticus

5

A
  1. CBC,
  2. BMP,
  3. Ca,
  4. Mg,
  5. AED levels
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13
Q

How would you treat status epilepticus if hypoglycemia was the cause? 2

A
  • D50W amp and Thiamine 100 mg IV

- Needs to have thiamine given before dextrose as 20-40% of seizure pts are alcoholics

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14
Q

Treatment for status epilepticus:

  1. Initially? 2
  2. Then? 2
  3. Refractory? 4
A
  1. Benzodiazepines are first line
    Ativan 4mg IV or Valium 5mg IV
  2. Second line
    -Fosphenytoin load 20 mg/kg (up to 150 mg/min)
    -Valproic acid load 40 mg/kg, 2nd dose of 20 mg/kg
  3. Refractory status
    - Phenobarb 20 mg/kg,
    - Pentobarb,
    - Versed gtt,
    - Propofol, etc.)
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15
Q

Post-ictal State

  1. What do we have to differentiate this from?
  2. What does the post ictal state consist of? 4
  3. tx?
  4. Work up?
A
  1. Differentiate post-ictal state and syncope of another cause
  2. Post-ictal state
    - Usually sleepy and may be confused
    - During the possible prior seizure the pt has usually been incontinent
    - Tongue bitten
  3. Supportive care
  4. Work up why seizure occurred
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16
Q

Acute Ischemic Stroke

  1. Caused by? Results in?
  2. Within seconds to minutes of loss of perfusion, an ischemic cascade occurs resulting what?
  3. Goal of tx?
A
  1. Caused by the sudden loss of blood circulation to an area of the brain resulting in ischemia and corresponding loss of neurologic function
  2. a central area of irreversible infarction surrounded by an area of potentially reversible ischemic penumbra
  3. Goal of treatment is to preserve ischemic penumbra
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17
Q

Acute Ischemic Stroke
Hx questions?
4

A
  1. Time last known well
  2. tPA contraindications?
  3. History of diabetes? Seizures?
  4. Detailed description of symptoms
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18
Q

Acute Ischemic Stroke
Detailed description of symptoms such as
1. What would indicate ICH? 3

  1. What about a vertebral or carotid dissection? 2
A
  1. Onset with HA,
  2. seizure,
  3. syncope .. Possible ICH..
  4. Neck pain,
  5. history of neck trauma ..
    Possible vertebral or carotid dissection
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19
Q

PE for acute ischemic stroke?

7

A
  1. Level of consciousness
  2. Eye exam
  3. CN exam
  4. Motor exam
  5. Sensory exam
  6. Reflexes
  7. Cerebellar exam
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20
Q

Work up: Acute ischemic stroke:

  1. Labs? 6
  2. Imaging?
A
  1. Labs:
    - POCT BG,
    - CBC,
    - CMP,
    - PT/INR,
    - cardiac enzymes,
    - EKG
  2. Imaging:
    - Emergent non-contrast head CT
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21
Q

Why do we do a noncontrast CT for acute ischemic stroke? 3

A
  1. Distinguished hemorrhagic from ischemic stroke
  2. Defines age and anatomic distribution of stroke
  3. Large hypodense areas seen within 3 area can indicate timing of AIS and can predict poor outcome
22
Q

ED-Based Care
Action Time:
1. Door to clinician ___ minutes
2. Door to stroke team ____ minutes
3. Door to CT initiation ____ minutes
4. Door to CT interpretation ____ minutes
5. Door to drug (≥80% compliance) ____ minutes
6. Door to stroke unit admission: How long?

A
  1. ≤10
  2. ≤15
  3. ≤25
  4. ≤45
  5. ≤60
  6. ≤3 hours
23
Q

ACA stroke symptoms?

4

A
  1. Dysarthria, aphsasia
  2. Unilateral contralateral motor weakness (lower > upper)
  3. Lower extremity sensory changes
  4. Urinary incontinence
24
Q

MCA stroke symptoms? 4

A
  1. Contralateral hemiparesis (face/arms > legs) and hemianopsia
  2. Ipsilateral gaze preference
  3. Aphasia (if dominant hemisphere)
  4. Broca’s/Wernike’s/Global
    Hemi-neglect (if non-dominant hemisphere)
25
Q

PCA stroke symptoms? 4

A
  1. Contralateral hemianopsia
  2. Cortical blindness
  3. Altered mental status
  4. Impaired memory
26
Q

Initial Treatment
for ischemic stroke?
7

A

ABCD’s

1. Airway: intubate for GCS

27
Q

Thrombolytics for Tx of ischemic stroke:

  1. What is the drug?
  2. Considered in eligible patients treated within how long of symptom onset?
A
  1. Alteplase (IV tPa)
  2. 9 mg/kg w/ max dose of 90 mg
  3. 3-4.5 hours
28
Q

Thrombolytics for Tx of ischemic stroke:

Indications? 3

A
  1. Acute neurological deficit expected to result in significant long-term diasability
  2. Non-contrast head CT w/ no hemorrhage
  3. Stroke symptom onset clearly identified between 3-4.5 hours before tPa given
29
Q

tPa Contraindications

8

A
  1. SBP > 185 or DBP > 110 (Labetolol 10mg q10 min)
  2. CT head w/ ICH or SAH
  3. Recent intracranial or spinal surgery, head trauma or stroke (> 3 mos)
  4. Major trauma or surgery within 3 mos
  5. Hx of ICH or aneurysm/vascular malformation/brain tumor
  6. Recent active internal bleeding
  7. Platelets 40; INR > 1.7
  8. Known bleeding disorder
30
Q

2013 AHA Guidelines
for tPA
9

A
  1. Give IV tPA in patients who meet 3 hour criteria (IA)
  2. Getting it within window is not enough, shoot for the 2 days (assuming normal renal metabolizing function). Similar consideration should be given to patients being considered for intra-arterial rtPA (Class III; Level of Evidence C)
31
Q

Mechanical Thrombectomy

  1. For pts with what?
  2. Composed of?
A
  1. For patients w/ stroke in large territory vessel of the proximal circulation
  2. Composed of direct IA tPa and stent removal of clot if necessary
32
Q

What are the types of intracranial hemorrhages?

3

A
  1. Intra-parenchymal hemorrhage (IPH)
  2. Intra-ventricular hemorrhage (IVH)
  3. Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)
33
Q

Intra-Parenchymal Hemorrhage

  1. Hemorrhage where?
  2. Often presents how?
  3. Signs and symptoms depend on what?
  4. MC signs and symptoms? 4
  5. Can mimic what?
A
  1. Hemorrhage within the brain tissue
  2. Often clinically silent
  3. Signs and symptoms depend on location of hemorrhage
  4. M/C are
    - hemiparesis,
    - aphasia,
    - hemianopsia and
    - hemisensory loss
  5. Can mimic acute ischemic stroke symptoms
34
Q

IPH Etiology

  1. What is the #1 cause?
  2. Other causes?6
A
  1. Hypertension is #1 cause
    • Cerebral amyloid angiopathy
    • Anticoagulation/Anti-platelet meds
    • Systemic anticoagulated states (eg. DIC)
    • Sympathomimetic drugs (eg. Cocaine, MDMA, methamphetamines)
    • Aneurysms, AVM’s, Cavernous Angiomas
    • Brain tumors
35
Q

Intra-Ventricular Hemorrhage

  1. Often results from what?
  2. S/S can include? 5
  3. Increased risk of what?
A
  1. Often results from IPH extending into ventricular system
  2. S/S can include
    - HA,
    - N/V,
    - progressive deterioration of consciousness,
    - increased ICP,
    - nuchal rigidity
  3. Increased risk of obstructive hydrocephalus
36
Q

IPH/IVH Treatment

6

A
  1. ABCD’s
  2. Intubation if necessary
  3. SBP goal
37
Q

Fluid and electrolyte in IPH tx

  1. Utilize what? Avoid what?
  2. Watch for?
A
  1. Utilize normal saline, avoid dextrose

2. Watch for SIADH/Cerebral Salt Wasting

38
Q

IPH/IVH Treament Cont
1. Correct underlying coagulopathy such as? 3

  1. Management of?
  2. Recombinant Factor VII (NovoSeven)
    - Can be beneficial when?
    - Risk of? 2
  3. Surgical evacuation of what?
A
  1. Correct Underlying Coagulopathy
    - FFP,
    - platelet infusion,
    - Vitamin K
  2. Management of ICP
  3. Recombinant Factor VII (NovoSeven)
    - Can be beneficial if given within 4 hours
    - Risk of MI and AIS
  4. Surgical evacuation of hemorrhage
39
Q

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
1. What accounts for 80% of cases?

  1. Risk factors? 6
  2. Fatality rate is 50% within?
A
  1. Aneurysmal rupture accounts for 80% of cases
  2. Risk factors:
    - HTN,
    - smoking,
    - advanced age,
    - cocaine use,
    - alcohol use,
    - connective tissue disorders
  3. Fatality rate is 50% within 2 weeks
40
Q

SAH signs and symptoms

6

A
  1. Sudden onset “worst headache of life”
  2. CN III palsy (PCOMM aneurysm)- ‘Down and out’ gaze, ptosis
  3. CN VI palsy (increased ICP)
    - Inability to look out
  4. Retinal hemorrhages
  5. Altered mental status
  6. Nuchal rigidity
41
Q 
SAH Treatment
ABCD’s
1. Intubation for GCS less than?
2. Treat HTN: SBP goal less than?
3. Maintain what? 2
4. Temperature?
  1. Tx of vasospasm? 3
    Seizure ppx
  2. What clotting promoter would we use?
  3. what for obstructive HCP?
A
  1. 9
  2. 150
  3. normo-glycemia and euvolemia
  4. Normothermia
    • Nimodipine,
    • Mg gtt
    • Statin
  6. Aminocaproic acid bolus/gtt
    Clotting promoter
  7. EVD
42
Q

SAH Aneurysm Tx
1. What would we do to identify the location of the aneurysm?

  1. Then?
A
  1. CTA and eventual angiography to identify location of aneurysm
    - Angiography w/ endovascular coiling
  2. Surgical intervention
    Hemicraniectomy w/ surgical vascular clipping
43
Q

Leading cause of traumatic death in pts under 25?

A

Head Injury - TBI

44
Q

Describe the difference between primary and secondary TBI?

A
  1. Primary (at time of impact)

2. Secondary (develop over time due to inflammatory and neurochemical responses)

45
Q

Head Trauma-history

7

A
  1. When, where and how injury happened
  2. Mechanism of injury (Details matter!!)
  3. If there was LOC at the scene
  4. If alcohol or drugs were involved
  5. Length of time from injury
  6. Underlying medical problems (i.e. diabetes, previous stroke, CVD, etc.)‏
  7. Allergies and medications
46
Q

TBI
1. Once at ER assess neurological status
Use Glasgow coma scale—If pt has deteriorated during transport needs what?

  1. If patient is stable and not comatose with stable VS and no focal neurologic findings–management?
  2. Goal is to do what? 3
A
  1. immediate non-contrast CT scan and possible neurosurgery consult
  2. can proceed more slowly
    • prevent brainstem or
    • uncal herniation and
    • brain edema w/ elevated ICP that causes further brain injury
47
Q

Head Injury - PE

6

A
  1. Rapid primary survey
  2. Vital signs
  3. Glasgow coma scale
  4. Examining head for signs of outward trauma (i.e. penetrating trauma, lacerations, swelling, bruises, abrasions etc.)‏
  5. Pt should be in cervical spine collar
  6. Neurological exam
48
Q

What should we do on the PE for TBI? 3

A
  1. Pupils
  2. Level of alertness
  3. Look for focal deficits
49
Q

Describe the following in the glascow coma scale?

  1. Eye opening 1-4?
  2. Best verbal response 1-5?
  3. Best motor response 1-6?
A

Eye Opening (E)

4 = spontaneous
3 = to voice
2 = to pain
1 = none
Verbal Response (V)
5 = normal conversation
4 = disoriented conversation
3 = words, but not coherent
2 = no words, only sounds
1 = none
Motor Response (M)
6 = normal
5 = localized to pain
4 = withdraws to pain
3 = Flexion to pain
2 = Extension to pain
1 = none
50
Q

TBI:

  1. Initial GCS correlates to what?
  2. Avoidance of secondary insults by what is extremely important in reducing injury severity? 2
  3. GCS less than 8: ?
A
  1. severity of injury
    • hypotension
    • hypoxemia
  3. Intubate
51
Q

What labs do you want?

for TBI? 4

A
  1. Cbc,
  2. chem,
  3. coags,
  4. toxicology
52
Q

Guidelines for CT Scan in the ER

11

A
  1. GCS less than 15
  2. Suspected open or depressed skull fracture
  3. Any sign of basilar skull fracture (hemotympanum, raccoon eyes, Battle’s sign, cerebrospinal fluid leak)‏
  4. Two or more episodes of vomiting
  5. 65 years of age or older
  6. Amnesia before impact of 3 or more minutes
  7. Dangerous mechanism (ejected from vehicle)‏
  8. Bleeding diathesis or oral anticoagulant use
  9. Seizure
  10. Focal neurologic sign
  11. Intoxication

Emergency Medicine | Sarah Yasmine (26 decks)

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